Make Coco’s Law EU law: Crackdown on cyberbullying

The EPP Group wants stronger EU laws to protect children and young people from cyberbullying and online abuse. Ahead of Wednesday’s plenary debate, Tomas Tobé MEP says Europe must close legal gaps and ensure that victims receive the same protection everywhere in the EU.

Cyberbullying is one of the most serious online safety threats facing young people in Europe today. Abuse that would clearly be punishable offline is still too often ignored online. The EPP Group says this must change.

"The EPP Group is committed to a simple but important principle: what is illegal offline must also be illegal online. This is not just common sense; it is a matter of justice," said Tomas Tobé MEP, vice-chair of the EPP Group and the Group’s negotiator on cyberbullying.

The call comes after Jackie Fox addressed the European Parliament last month and shared the story of her daughter Nicole 'Coco' Fox, whose death followed sustained online abuse. Her case led Ireland to adopt Coco’s Law, which made severe online harassment a criminal offence.

"Coco’s Law showed that justice is possible. It closed a legal gap and gave victims clearer protection. This is the standard we should uphold across our Union, because protection and justice must not depend on where you live," Tobé said.

The EPP Group calls on the European Commission to propose a European Coco’s Law, an EU-wide law, inspired by Ireland’s model, that guarantees strong and equal protection for everyone across Europe.

"Let there be no doubt: abusers must be held to account. Let us stand on the side of the victims," Tobé concluded.